POSTS ARCHIVES

Website Search

Pages

Agnus Dei by Michael W. Smith

Spiritual Warfare Skill – Stay Focused

The animal world is full of predators with some impressive deceptive and distraction tactics. Great white sharks are the largest predatory fish in the world. But new research suggests these creatures are also quite clever. They can use the sun’s positioning to their advantage when hunting. On sunny mornings, the sharks strikes with the rising sun directly behind them. In the afternoons, they switch directions to approach prey. This would suggest that the sharks are capable of tracking and putting the sun behind them, thus avoiding glare to be noticed during an attack. If this is the case in the animal kingdom, then as believers , what do you think our only enemy and his army cast down from heaven are doing in these invisible battles we face? [Revelation 12:9]. The first sin was committed by mankind through deception of the devil [Genesis 2:17]; This technique used by the enemy has not changed. Due to our rebellious hearts, our sins have separated us from God’s protection. The devil continues to adapt and use the same tactic to steal, kill and destroy in so many ways [John 10:10]. lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices when we are connected with Yeshua [2 Corinthians 2:11].

Do you control your life or do you simply react to it? May be you’re reacting to setbacks in your finances, health, career, family, relationship, education or business instead of remaining focus with Jesus Christ. To brush of distractions and remain focused in this world is not an easy task. There is a trick snipers use in the Military when they begin to react to their surroundings. Snipers have to stay virtually invisible, while moving from point to point with loads of gear in extreme weather, while being completely exhausted. The fatigue, the discomfort, the racing thoughts are all distractions that can throw off focus which cloaks of invisibility which will keep them alive. Joseph was not invisible , because he did not keep his mouth shut about his dreams and his own brothers hated him more, so sold him into slavery [Genesis 37:1-36]; if the enemy doesn’t know ‘your plans’, he cannot distract you. In the battle field, when snipers are overwhelmed with their surroundings they Stop, Look around and Listen to their surroundings so they able to refocus. This allows then to stop reacting to the external stimuli, be mindful of the environment, and focus on what really matters. Lets look at some of the deceitful deceptions the enemy uses to distract us from our God given purpose.

Unforgiveness, pain of the past and holding grudge are all distractions used by the enemy; like the gear carried by the ‘sniper’ bringing about fatigue and discomfort in a war zone. The enemy continues to use this secret weapon on believers; our heart, which is the contact point to God is now occupied with sin; when you pray with an unforgiving heart , you end up talking to yourself. The Lord’s prayer … ‘and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. So not only is this a covenant with God, but a rule in the heavens [Genesis 1:1]- if you don’t forgive you will not be forgiven by God [Matthew 6:14-15]. Learn to forgive and move into light- the enemy can’t fight you in light for light overcomes darkness [John 1:5]. This is why the world is full of afflictions and setbacks. The vicious cycle of unforgiveness all around us, has allowed the enemy to trap so many people [Matthew 18:21-22]. It is not easy to forgive – Look at forgiveness as an act of peeling an onion- you need to forgive over and over again and often times with tears in your eyes [pain]. Fast and Pray if you’re struggling to forgive someone or people that have wronged you ; during that process, Jesus Christ will see your faith and provide you with the grace to completely forgive who ever has wronged you [Luke 5:20].

The enemy attacks the weak mostly the people closest to you, such as family to derail you from your God given purpose. How many times in your life did everything seem to be going well until you get that phone call or receive that bad news? Don’t fall for this trap, but rather endure with hope, faith and love in Jesus Christ and keep matching on. The Bible tells us in I Peter 5:8 that, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour ”. Here the enemy is compared to a lion. A lion is proud and fears nothing, it goes where it pleases and looks for the weak to prey upon. Satan does the same thing. He is constantly looking for people who are weak in their spiritual life so he can tear them down. Stay focused and remember, blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him [James 1:12]. Are you having marital problems? Is your love one on a sick bed? do you feel alone as a result of bereavement? have you lost your job or in financial difficulty? Have you, a family member , partner or friend been diagnosed of cancer / disease? Cheer up ! You can do all things through Jesus Christ who strengthens us [Philippians 4:12].

No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be loyal to the one and have contempt for the other. You cannot serve God and money [Matthew 6:24]. The enemy uses this same world to recruit and attack believers. Is money controlling you or you have dominion over money? The enemy uses the love for money as a means of distraction for so many believers and as a result, end up living in sin. Yeshua said, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also [Matthew 6:19-21]. Lack of patience for God’s appointed time has driven so many believers to be controlled by money. The enemy uses this to distract us by influencing our thoughts. These could be by means of comparison; greed and lack of contentment. Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for HE has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you”[Hebrews 13:5].

Fear is a relentless weapon the enemy uses to distract believers. And it is one that must be broken through the power of Jesus Christ [Yeshua] our Commander in Chief. Fear can get a foothold in your life and begin to dominate you. It can demoralize you and ultimately diminish God’s glory in your life. It can chew away your life, erode your sense of confidence, rob you of sleep, blind you and steal your praises to God. Don’t spend so much time with negative people , listening to songs of this world and watching immoral television programs- addicted to social media – these are currently the secret weapons the enemy is using to trap you with fear. ‘You are no longer content in life and want to be what you hear and see’. So, grab your sword against fear -fill your mouth and heart with praise and worship, because you see God’s might, recognize his love for you, and know that he will always come through. Put all your hopes onto our Lord Jesus Christ, His mercies will never fail, for they are new every morning [Lamentations 3:22-23]. Take a moment Brothers and Sisters, and name what is keeping you up at night- grab a pen and write them down, and then offload those cares to the One who has promised to care for you [1 Peter 5:7]. Remember we are not like others- one of our weapons is praise and worship; they are so powerful in breaking any chain of fears attached to our lives [Psalm 56:3].

Prayer

Oh Holy Spirit, give me the Grace to set my heart on things that are in Heaven but not on things of this world, In Jesus Christ [Yeshua] name I pray – Amen.

There is a Promise in the Holy Scriptures at John 3:16, ‘For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life’ .

Jesus Christ foretold the ‘signs of the end of time’ in Matthew 24, …the Good News of the kingdom shall be proclaimed in the the whole world as a testimony to all nations and then the end will come.

All you have to do now is accept YESHUA– Jesus Christ as your Messiah in your heart; and if you do this willingly this day at this very hour, you will be saved just like the criminal on the cross with Jesus Christ in Luke 23:42-43, ”And he said, “Yeshua, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”Yeshua said to him, “Amen, I tell you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.” There is no true loving parent that will lock their door in the middle of the night to a rebellious child. They either wait for them to come back or go out looking for them. So what do expect Our Loving Father HaShem to do? The door to come back into the kingdom of God is open for you. Yeshua is the only way to the Father. Is never too late to be saved and there is no sin ever committed that, God can not forgive, if you willingly come to HIM with repentance.

Now tell someone you have accepted Jesus Christ as your personal saviour today; Jesus Christ called everyone to Himself publicly.

Yeshua is the Lion of the tribe of Judah that was slain for all your sins and with HIM you will face no judgement on the last day, no matter your religion, gender, race or believe. The Holy Scriptures of Revelation 5 promises us that, by Yeshua’s blood shed on the cross we are all saved. Just believe…